[News] WCQF: Your Calgary Flames (P1) vs Colorado Avalanche (WC2) — AVALANCHE WIN SERIES 4-1

[Rando]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

One thing I’ll be looking for is Lindholm hopefully rediscovering some of that early season magic. We’ll need that for a long run I’d think.

Great point.

Many have been focused on Monahan's poor play, and rightfully so, but Lindholm finished the season with 9 points in his last 21 games. One of those games being a four pointer. Those are more inline with his Carolina numbers, need him to step up this post season.

[Beninho]

Flames should be able to take advantage of the Avs poor defence, I don’t see a no.1 Dman on that roster


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[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Thats what it always is on Saturdays.

They always try to get double headers in during the first couple rounds if possible.

Not sure i understand the outrage here.

Including City and CBC, Sportsnet has eight channels to broadcast on. There is absolutely no justifiable argument for an 8PM start anymore. Especially on a weeknight.

Also, god forbid Toronto lower itself to a 6PM or 6:30 start if Sportsnet needs to justify how much it paid with a full doubleheader.

[kermitology]

I'm anxious about the Flames goaltending. The Avs are certainly a one line team, but the Flames have a tendency to allow grade A chances, and in some of the games between these teams, scoring comes from all over. The Flames might have success if they almost alternate or certainly if one goalie drops the ball, immediately go to the other versus the Elliott catastrophe.

I'm very concerned with the Flames power play of late and the lack of offence from the first line.

Flames SHOULD win this, probably in 5 or 6, but history is not kind to this franchise.

[Major Major]

Lots of complaints about the scheduling. I love the playoffs and love the opportunity to see most of the games. Running them back to back makes the most sense to me! So pumped!!!! GO FLAMES

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Apparently, Cale Makar could sign and join the Avs after the Frozen Four, which starts on the 11th

Yes, he is expected to sign with the Avs once his season is over.


The Frozen Four starts on Thursday in Buffalo. Makar's UMass plays the University of Denver. If they win, they'll play in the Final on Saturday. If they lose, their season is over.

Makar is also the favourite to win the Hobey Baker award. That will be presented on Friday.


He could make his NHL debut as early as Game 2 if UMass loses on Thursday.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Including City and CBC, Sportsnet has eight channels to broadcast on. There is absolutely no justifiable argument for an 8PM start anymore. Especially on a weeknight.

Also, god forbid Toronto lower itself to a 6PM or 6:30 start if Sportsnet needs to justify how much it paid with a full doubleheader.

Ummm...8PM starts have been going on for years on Saturday nights. Every single one during the season. Sure its an hour later for weeknights, but thats been the norm for years too when a double header is on the slate. We had a couple of them this year with Calgary being the late game.

And your solution for a national double header is to have it start at 3 PM Pacific and 4 PM Mountain from out East? So that they essentially cut out a 1/4 of the country from seeing the early game or most of it?

Makes zero business sense.

I mean....isn't this pretty much standard fare the last many years?

[TheScorpion]

The playoffs essentially means HNIC every night, and ever since the introduction of the late game HNIC has always been 5/8. Always.

[activeStick]

Flames in 6!

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Flames in 6!

They're going to play 720 games? God, I hope not.

[Joborule]

Comes down to how Flames goaltending is, and their power play. Outscoring themselves from bad goals against is much more challenging in the playoffs. Each goal has great importance, and it's crucial for Flames to get the GA low, while being opportunistic when they get their chances; especially on the power play.

If Flames are golfing by the end of this month, you can bet it'll be because either the goaltending let them down, or the power play was dismal.

[JBR]

I see the top line breaking out during the series. After a dominating game 5 performance to close it out, the headline reads “Johnny Denver!!!”

[MrMike]

I think Backlund is going to have a huge series. Big shutdown minutes for him.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

They're going to play 720 games? God, I hope not.

Is that a lame factorial joke? You gotta take a break from school for a while kiddo.

[CsInMyBlood]

Flames in 7.

The 3M line has been amazing vs. the Landeskog line this season. Shutting them down while putting up their own points. This is exactly why home ice is so important.

Smith deserves the start, but to me so does Rittich. Just hope Smith doesn't get a long leash if he falters because Rittich deserves what ever chance or opening he gets.

The Avalanche are no joke. No team that makes the playoffs can ever be considered lightly. As a long time Flames fan all I can say is ANYTHING can happen. Flames history has not been kind.

Going to be interesting to see which Flames have that extra playoff gear, I cannot wait for this series to start. This team really does seem like it could make some noise.

PLAYOFF HOCKEY IS BEST HOCKEY. GO FLAMES GO!!!

[Enoch Root]

Talk about the Avs having an edge in special teams is overblown. For the year, the Avs scored 56 PP goals (5 on 4) and the Flames 51. For the PK (4 on 5) the Flames gave up 45 and the Avs 48. As for shorties, the Flames scored 15 and the Avs 8. Flames gave up 7, and the Avs 4.

All told, in 5 on 4 situations (both ways), the Avs were +12 and the Flames were +14.

[Cortez]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

They're going to play 720 games? God, I hope not.

[Enoch Root]

I think the Avs' biggest strength is their top line. And our top line matches them.

As for forward depth, the Flames have a pretty big edge.

With respect to the D, the Flames have a very big edge.

Goaltending is a wildcard. Grubauer comes in hot, but we'll see if he sustains that. Smith comes in having played really well down the stretch. His GAA in Oct/Nov does not concern me in the slightest.

Overall, the Flames have more pluses, and they have confidence against the Avs,m with a lot of success in recent years, including this year.

The only way the Avs win the series, IMO is if there is a large difference in goaltending, and a large difference in specialty teams performance. And I don't expect either.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Is that a lame factorial joke? You gotta take a break from school for a while kiddo.

please send help

[Always Earned Never Given]

I fully understand all the concerns regarding goaltending, lack of PP goals and 1st line almost vanishing since AS game but what I saw was a team that performs better when there was a sense of urgency.

We saw this a few times when the Sharks would be on a run to either catch them or pass them in the standings and they would immediately respond with a winning streak of their own.

This is an unknown territory for most of them but they do seem like a team that really plays for each other and hold each other accountable.

Eventhough Neal hasn't had the season us fans expected, I am pretty sure his presence, play and advice will help the team immensely.

On the backend, as usual, Gio will lead by example and whoever gets the net will want to show the coach that they made the right decision.

Finally, we've seen all year that Peters does have a great read on his players so adjustments will be made whenever he feels team isn't playing the right way.

Is it Thursday yet?